Mandy Burns has a long list of achievements that make up her personal bucket list. One such achievement was to complete the Kokoda Track. We must start her story by getting the name right from the beginning. The Kokoda Trail as most of us know it should actually be referred to as the Kokoda Track. Mandy said US servicemen called it the Kokoda Trail but that Australian Servicmen have always called it the Kokoda Track.
Through a friend, Mandy was able to undertake the Track earlier this year. She completed the nine day trek through the hillside, the day before Anzac Day. The very next day she went on to attend the Papua New Guinea National Service.
Mandy didnt know anyone on the tour when she first arrived. She joined 43 other hopefuls who had gathered to complete the track in honour of our fallen servicemen and women. The Tour was organised by the group ‘Our Spirit’ who coordinated the trek and organised ration packs, water, flights and connections. Mandy said each candidate had to supply their own footwear and sleeping equipment.
Mandy took the prospect of completing the Kokoda Track very seriously. She began training for the tortuous trip 3 months out from her departure by walking up and down the overpass near St Mary’s Church in Murrumburrah before moving on to Mt. Bobbara near Binalong, where she lugged a 14 kilogram pack up and down the well known landmark.
Mt Bobbara at 738m above sea level was a good place to start for Mandy as the highest peak on the Kokoda Track is 2190 metres. Australia’s highest peak is Mount Kosciuszko located in the Snowy Mountains in Kosciuszko National Park with a height of 2228 metres. One thing Kosciuszko doesn’t have is tropical humidity for the entire ascent and descent.
The sheer length and duration of the trek would play on most peoples minds however the trip was broken up by visits to the Kokoda Memorial Hospital where the group left supplies and money for the hospital that were raised by NSW Police Legacy.
Mandy said “the villagers were the nicest people and they had a lot of pride in their homes and villages”.
Mandy (kneeling, far right) is pictured with children from an orphanage in Papua New Guinea.
Part 2 in next week’s Twin Town Times.
